-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Today 's hotel bathrooms are more than the sum of their sinks and shower heads . They serve as ultimate sanctuaries , providing the comforts of home or transporting guests to another realm .

`` We 're seeing more attention to details , '' says Kathleen Dauber , a partner at Hirsch Bedner Associates , the world 's largest hotel-design company .

In addition to technological innovations , such as TV screens that turn into mirrors when you approach them , Dauber sees a trend of pulling back on furnishings to make way for open areas . `` Space is luxury , '' she says .

Fresh air and natural light are prized commodities , as are stunning views of skylines or natural landscapes . Fragmentation of areas within the room according to function is popular , such as separating the salle de bain from the toilet . And curating regional aesthetics and incorporating interesting materials is also top of mind ; local supplies and recycled construction resources are layered with classically opulent stone , glass , wood and other substances .

Here are ten hotel bathrooms that cohesively balance utility and beauty .

Song Saa , Cambodia

Song Saa , on a private island in southern Cambodia , has generous terrazzo composite-stone bathtubs placed strategically to afford views of each room 's individual infinity pool and the Gulf of Thailand . Playing to its natural setting , the property created its rustic-chic vanities from driftwood and recycled timbers and incorporated sustainable materials like bamboo into items such as the towel rails . The wooden statues from the hill tribes of the Ratanakiri province in northern Cambodia provide a local touch that counterbalances the Australian Aesop body products . Rooms start at $ 1,117 -LRB- all-inclusive -RRB- .

Park Hyatt Vienna

Opened in June , Park Hyatt Vienna has a Presidential Suite that comes with a grand marble bathroom containing a striking lapis lazuli wall and a walk-in rain shower . But the real showstopper is the gilded bath , reminiscent of the sensual paintings of hometown artist Gustav Klimt . Illuminated by a tiered chandelier , the golden vessel turns the everyday act of bathing into an artistic ritual . Rooms start at $ 510 .

Departures : Hotels with gorgeous views

21c Cincinnati

As the name suggests , 21c Museum Hotels mixes boutique accommodations with stupendous collections of contemporary art under one roof . Its 156-room Cincinnati property married designs by starchitect Deborah Berke with local craftsmanship : It commissioned Rookwood Pottery , the city 's heritage ceramic producer whose roots date back to 1880 , to manufacture Berke 's whimsical bathroom tiles that mimic ears , lips , breasts and other body parts . The result is an elegantly simple bathroom with bright white interiors that , upon closer inspection , surprises with cheeky twists . Rooms start at $ 300 .

Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort , Costa Rica

Designed by local talent Ronald Zurcher , this Costa Rican retreat engages with its natural surroundings and local traditions . The bathroom 's spacious walk-in rain shower opens to the balcony , effortlessly bringing in the pristine Costa Rican outdoors . The floors feature rocks and pebbles from the area and textiles and artifacts from local artisans , paying homage to the folk traditions of the Guanacaste province . Rooms start at $ 450 .

Departures : Signature hotel desserts

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

Situated inside a UNESCO geopark of rainforests and dramatic cliffs , the 91 pavilions and villas of Four Seasons Resort Langkawi blend Malay , Arabic and South Asian architectural stylesâ $ '' and nowhere is the beautiful mÃ © lange more evident than in its guest bathrooms . Featuring soaring arches , bright skylights and outdoor soaking tubs in private gardens , the little personal spas incorporate Arabic flourishes , Malay artifacts , ornate wooden screens and handcrafted hanging mirrors finished with antique patinas . Rooms start at $ 540 .

The Viceroy , New York

In Suite 57 , the penthouse crown jewel of New York 's Viceroy hotel , Paonazzo marble is used so generously that even the oversized soaking tub is made of the classic material that was favored among designers in the early 20th century . Drawing from the luxurious design elements of the hotel lobby and the suite itself , the master bathroom features an original collection of lighting fixtures and hand-perforated brass hardware . A highlight ? The sweeping views of Central Park from the sprawling dual shower . $ 5,500 a night .

Departures : Lush hotel patios and gardens

The Ritz-Carlton , Bahrain Hotel & Spa

At the Ritz-Carlton , Bahrain Hotel & Spa , you may be drawn to the walk-in power showers by Jacob Delafon of Paris or the overflow infinity-style Jacuzzi from Kohler or the glass walls overlooking a sun-soaked garden . But it 's the subtle touches that really delight , such as the discreet palm-leaf motif that is embossed in a gypsum frieze around the room and is visible when illuminated at night . Rooms start at $ 280 .

Point Yamu by COMO , Phuket , Thailand

Paola Navone designed Point Yamu by COMO , which is slated to open in September . The bathrooms in the Bay Suites combine deep-blue tiles , clean lines , hanging light fixtures and varied textures to create a vibrant atmosphere . Made with 95 percent local resources , including natural wood , the ceramic-intense rooms make a bold , clean statement with touches of nature . Bay Suites start at $ 280 .

Departures : The hotel suites to book in New York

The Oberoi , Dubai

The executive chairman of the Oberoi Group was directly involved in designing every detail of its Dubai outpost . Employing uncluttered lines and classic marble , the guest bathrooms demonstrate sophisticated restraint . The most notable features is the floor-to-ceiling windows that display breathtaking uninterrupted views of the Dubai skyline , including the Old City and the iconic Burj Khalifa . Rooms start at $ 790 .

Hoshino Resorts KAI Aso , Japan

Bathing in hot-spring water is an essential part of staying at a ryokan , a Japanese inn , and Hoshino Resorts KAI Aso , at the foothills of an active volcano , updates the cleansing ritual to new heights . Every villa on the six-and-a-half-acre property is equipped with a private outdoor tub on a terrace that juts into the surrounding verdant forest , allowing guests to poach mineral-rich volcanic water from the mountains . Unspoiled air , natural light , infinite space and breathtaking views : Some traditions deserve to be trendy . Rooms start at $ 770 -LRB- including breakfast and kaiseki dinner -RRB- .

Departures : Airport spas

© 2010 American Express Publishing Corporation . All rights reserved .

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Hotel bathrooms are getting a fashion upgrade with elegant design and amazing views

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Song Saa island in Cambodia offers stone bathtubs with a view of the Gulf of Thailand

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The Viceroy 's bathroom offers sweeping views of Central Park from the sprawling dual shower

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Park Hyatt Vienna has a show-stopping gilded bath